Hobart (built by Miller) is a great value and excellent little machine. I spent a good part of yesterday having to weld with an $89.00, Horrible Freight, non-gas shielded piece of crap mig. Man...what an F-ing joke.

I've been welding for years and could not get a real "bead" going no matter what the settings. Nothing but Mud Dabber lumps. If you are going to get a mig welder...get a decent one the first time that is gas shielded. Most everyone I know who has cheaped out eventually wound up dumping them in the trash and buying a real mig.

I love my hobbie!! It does really well in any thickness material you would encounter while working on a skoolie! If your serious about getting a nice piece of equipment that won't break the bank, grab this thing. The only down side is that the output control is a five position verses an infinite control.

Figured I'd follow up on this.
I've used the hobart for lots of small jobs and projects here and there and this lil guy has performed flawlessly.
For the money, its an absolutely stellar unit. Easy to use, easy to take care of.

Super deal. Hobarts are made by Miller as their "value" line. And they have been upgrade with better parts in the last few years to the point there is very little difference except in price. Great little welders.

The value of owning a welder is hard to pin down. Migs are so cheap and easy to learn that in very short order you will be fabricating or fixing things in all manner of metal. I have taught housewives how to weld in a couple of hours and they now kick butt with their own machines.

Anytime you are passing through Houston I'll be happy to give you an intro course. I'm no master of the craft but it has certainly opened a lot of doors and made for some really fun projects.

I say Go For IT! And, if you do, go for a name brand,gas shielded rig. You'll be glad you did.

PS...all of my sculpture requires a welded steel armature/framework and I own (and love) two Millers. A little 110v, 140 amp...and a 110/220v dual voltage 211. Both have the "Auto Set" technology which actually works quite well.